Elaine Malbin

Who is Elaine Malbin?

Elaine Malbin is an American soprano who had a prolific international career singing in operas, musicals, and concerts from 1949 through 1967. She appeared in a number of Broadway productions in the 1940s and 1950s and notably portrayed Marsinah in the original 1953 West End production of Kismet. She was a regular at the New York City Opera during the 1950s and 1960s and appeared with most of America's leading opera companies during this time as well, including the Houston Grand Opera and the San Francisco Opera. She also appeared in concert with several notable orchestras including the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. On the International stage she appeared at a number of opera houses and major music festivals in the United Kingdom, Italy, and France. She is perhaps best remembered for appearing in several opera roles live for television with the NBC Opera Theatre and for recording music with Mario Lanza for the 1951 film The Great Caruso.

Malbin retired at the height of her career in 1968 when her first daughter was born. She returned to the stage in 1979 but never achieved the level of success she enjoyed when she was younger. From 1980 up into the early 2000s she remained busy appearing in operas with smaller American companies and appearing in concerts with minor orchestras and music ensembles. Although she is mostly retired now, she still occasionally performs.